Miscellaneous: Story Status Updates

[luxken27]

Wow ~ I've managed to go almost five months without having one of these anal organizational posts. That's some sort of personal record, LOL! However...after being abandoned by my muse for a couple of months, it has come back like gangbusters - so much so, that three of my current four WIPs are heading towards major climaxes, all at the same time.

*facepalm*

So, in an effort to give some coherency to my update schedule, here's what's going on with my WIPs and other promised fics:

Nihon Idol ~ (5/13 chapters completed). My poor, woefully neglected AU/crossover. *sigh* I feel so guilty about the fact that it takes me months to update this fic, but let's face it - the chapters are massive. Since I'm only using the first season of Instant Star as a basis for my plot, I'm having to do extensive revision to make it go where I want it to go (at least, for the direction of the promised pairings). I've been mulling over the next chapter quite a bit of late (my muses do great work in the background, while I'm paying attention to other matters) and I think I'm just going to greatly simplify the projected plot. There are three 'lines' that will be touched upon in the next chapter, which has a lot of focus on kisses, kissing, and the importance of a first impression: the Koga/Kagome/Inuyasha triangle continues to grow; Miroku confronts Sango about her impulsive behavior over the volcano project; Kikyo and Kagura have another run-in, which leads to interesting discussions about their place in each others' lives...

Fleeting ~ (21/30 chapters completed). This is gangbusters fic target #1. The moment of truth is imminent; this next chapter is one I've been building towards ever since deciding to follow the secret-brothers storyline to its logical conclusion: we're about to learn where Inuyasha stands, in the thick of all the intrigue around his father's business dealings. I have a couple of ideas for how I want to proceed; mostly, its a matter of getting the tone right for a series of critical conversations. Unfortunately, when I think of this fic (as I often do, before I go to bed), all I can picture in my head is the ending. You guys, its going to be so good, and *so* worth all the current angst. I've been planning the last three chapters in my head since the beginning of summer.

I can also reveal this: at least one future chapter will be songfic-ish in nature (to the tune of "I Am A Rock" by Simon & Garfunkel), and all the great feedback I received for Illicit (and hope to receive for the Mir/San lemon) will come in very handy :D

Allegiance ~ (17 chapters completed). This is gangbusters fic #2. I'm up to the battle scene in the current, linear story arc. It's been a long time since I've written a battle scene, so I'm a little nervous. I know what needs to happen, and what will happen, as far as the evolution of Sesshoumaru's and Kagome's relationship, but I'm also quite aware of the fact that this serial is far from over. To that end...right now I'm using prompts from ebony_silks, with quite a bit of success, but I'm also thinking of shopping around for a new home, maybe a short challenge prompt community somewhere? There is more to this universe, and it reaches beyond the two leads in a way that will not be conducive to writing for a Sess/Kag community.

At any rate, the battle scene is going to be tough. I need to be in just the right frame of mind for it, and though there certainly hasn't been a shortage of drama lately, I need quite a bit more positive energy in order to focus on the actual action sequences. I hope to have my entry ready for this week's prompt at ebony_silks, but there's no guarantee. I'll be using that prompt no matter what, and then...its up in the air.

This has been a helluva lot of fun to write, and has, in fact, been one of the front-burner fics for the last couple of months, which is a refreshing change of pace :)

Fragments ~ (7 chapters completed). This is gangbusters fic #3. *wrings hands* Finally, I arrive at the chapter that contains my original purpose for even delving into this universe in the first place - that's right, folks, citrus ahoy! I am anticipating quite a long chapter, as this is pretty much the climax of the entire story, and then it will be a fairly short downhill ride on the other side. I say that, because I'm trying not to let this world get away from me ~ it very much has that potential, and self-contained serials have this way of growing and growing and growing, only getting more complicated along the way...

Already this has gotten bigger than I originally intended, and pretty much the only way I could convince myself to take on a fourth WIP project was on the promise that this wouldn't be a long story, chapters-wise. Not all serials have to be never-ending, after all...So, yeah. I've already got a fairly good idea of how the next entry will go (I'm getting a very good feeling about the opening, especially, which is what I tend to find the hardest to write), as well as events in the immediate succeeding chapter. After that, things are a bit fuzzy, but not panic-inducing.

By Request ~ (1/9 prompts completed). I want to apologize up front for the fact that I've only written one of the nine prompts given to me way back in April. As I stated in the original post, I'm imposing no time limit on myself, since I believe in quality over quantity, but that doesn't excuse the glacial pace I'm working on these. So...if you responded to the original entry, and you want to give me a more detailed prompt than you did before, please be my guest. I'm looking at the ones I have left and am drawing blanks at the moment; if you have a specific scenario in mind (or a prompt word, quote, or song), lay it on me. I love writing personalized gift!fics for folks, and most of what I agonize over is that it be *just right* for its intended recipient.

Now, as if I had brainspace left after all that, I HAVE MOAR IDEAS bouncing around, mostly in the form of writing exercises and oneshots:

*The darkfic I've been carrying around since the end of August is still there, waiting to be tweaked. This thing has brought me to tears a few times already, but I'm determined to get it out; it would be the perfect vessel for my negative energy, if only I could figure out how to channel it properly. Tentatively titled Bloodlust, it is a hybrid songfic/canon divergence, based in part on these three songs and revolving around the sibling relationship of Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru.

*In looking for future homes for Allegiance, I've been seeking out a few different LJ prompt comms. I've seen a few that look quite promising for future claims (7snogs, 30_forbidden, 30_lemons), even if they have nothing to do with my never-ending serial. I'd like to write more Mir/San (sanity, I seek it), as well as focus more of my work on Sesshoumaru, by himself...

*To that end, I've been looking at comms like 1character, which have sets of prompts where you write with only one character, as opposed to a pairing. Like with the sentence writing comms out there, this is a great way to work on individual characters, and explore each on their own as well as in relation to several other characters at once.

*I looked back at my Sess/Kag sentence-writing exercise for 1sentence and saw what landofthekwt saw, a couple of great leads for individual stories, so there's the possibility that a couple of those could be developed further.

All in all, my plate is pretty full...now I just have to find the time to whittle a few more of these down. I'd love to finish at least one WIP by the end of the year, but that's looking quite unlikely, given my RL schedule. I suppose we'll just see how things pan out, no? Wish me luck!

Comments

[replicantangel.livejournal.com]

You guys, its going to be so good, and *so* worth all the current angst.

Ah! You're just *trying* to kill me with anticipation, aren't you? :P

It's been a long time since I've written a battle scene, so I'm a little nervous.

Aren't they just the worst ever? Ugh. I'm writing one right now (literally, it is open in the other tab), and I just hate it so much. I always fill them with dialog, as if the characters have decided that living isn't *really* so much a priority as having some witty(?) banter. LoL. I'm sure yours will be awesome though! :D

Excited about all the ideas you're hinting at, too! You have so many more plot bunnies than me! Wow. *is jealous* :P

[luxken27]

Ah! You're just *trying* to kill me with anticipation, aren't you? :P

I'd give it all away now, but then you wouldn't read the six or so chapters that lead up to it, and will be what makes it all the sweeter. *sigh* Basically, though, I can't wait to write these chapters. The one I've been obsessing over probably won't be the final one, but the next to last one...as far as I'm concerned, its going to be awesome; I dunno if the audience will feel the same way.

But when you have a goal to work towards, that always makes life more exciting, no? :)

Aren't they just the worst ever? Ugh. I'm writing one right now (literally, it is open in the other tab), and I just hate it so much. I always fill them with dialog, as if the characters have decided that living isn't *really* so much a priority as having some witty(?) banter. LoL.

Well, luckily most of my battle scene experience has been with Sesshoumaru, Mr. Man of No Words, so I don't quite have the same problem; no, for me, the chaos of battle tends to overwhelm me, and I don't know where to start or how to get my reader to focus on what I want them to focus on, and yet still understand the characters are surrounded by chaos...if that makes any sense.

I'll have to go back and read the last battle scenes I wrote, and some good books, and maybe I'll get it in shape. Knowing what needs to happen 1) on the field and 2) to move the lead characters' relationship forward are, unfortunately, two very different things.

At least you're working on yours, LOL!!

Excited about all the ideas you're hinting at, too! You have so many more plot bunnies than me! Wow. *is jealous* :P

Yeah, and I forgot to mention one that's been eating away at me like a guilty pleasure ~ a cracky Law & Order: CI/IY fandom crossover *facepalm* The idea is awesometastic, but I don't think I could actually publish it without bringing MAJOR backlash back at me. Like, alienating myself from mere pairing-centric archives will look like little tiffs in comparison o.O

But as much fun as it is to have a buncha different projects to work on at the same time, it's not fun when they're all going gangbusters at the same time, and three of the biggies reach climax at the same time, in such varying ways! Good grief. I'm an idiot for a challenge, and this is merely proof of that...

(You'd also think, for all my ideas, my output would be much higher...)

Don't be jealous. Sometimes I wish I could just write one story at a time, and shove all the others off in a corner - but if I don't develop the idea while I have it, I lose it forever, so *shrug* In some ways, its a necessary evil to have a chaotic brain.

[piratequeen0405.livejournal.com]

Again, I bow to your organizational skills. I have two measely stories that I can't seem to keep straight and on top of.

I know I'm behind on Fleeting, but I do plan to catch up.

Allegiance is coming along so fabulously! I love everything you are doing with it--from the slow understanding and growing closeness to the way Kagome's role in his life is forcing him to confront his own issues (and man, does he have issues). I don't blame you for wanting to find a new home for it.

[luxken27]

Again, I bow to your organizational skills. I have two measely stories that I can't seem to keep straight and on top of.

I'd hardly call your two big chapter!fics "measly", my friend. Considering how big both of them are (and how complicated the plot lines have become), juggling those two is probably the equivalent of juggling my four :P

I know I'm behind on Fleeting, but I do plan to catch up.

Oh, take your time ~ its not going anywhere :) The fact that it will probably be 2010 before I finish it is making me go o.O but, what can you do. Unfortunately I have more pressing matters on my mind than finishing my stories...

Allegiance is coming along so fabulously! I love everything you are doing with it--from the slow understanding and growing closeness to the way Kagome's role in his life is forcing him to confront his own issues (and man, does he have issues).

And this serial - even though it already has an ending and a timeline - is the one that feels like it could go on indefinitely. I love it, but at the same time, knowing there is so much more to be told, because of the pace at which its moving, is a little scary.

I don't blame you for wanting to find a new home for it.

*sigh* Yeah. The S/K corner of fandom, I've found, might as well be its own universe.

[yumi-michiyo.livejournal.com]

You guys, its going to be so good, and *so* worth all the current angst.
*twitches with anticipation* I can hardly wait... *wipes drool* It's all your fault. You got me addicted to this serial in the first place.

This has been a helluva lot of fun to write, and has, in fact, been one of the front-burner fics for the last couple of months
... Are ya trying to tempt me into reading this one too, LOL?

I am anticipating quite a long chapter, as this is pretty much the climax of the entire story, and then it will be a fairly short downhill ride on the other side. I say that, because I'm trying not to let this world get away from me ~ it very much has that potential, and self-contained serials have this way of growing and growing and growing, only getting more complicated along the way...
When you breathe enough life into a fic, they tend to do that *grins* But I'm really loving this story (eggplantlady beat me to nomming it at IYFG - darn) and I'm glad you've written it. Even if it's going to be short...

Not all serials have to be never-ending, after all...So, yeah. I've already got a fairly good idea of how the next entry will go (I'm getting a very good feeling about the opening, especially, which is what I tend to find the hardest to write), as well as events in the immediate succeeding chapter. After that, things are a bit fuzzy, but not panic-inducing.
Please say you'll be writing more Mir/San? I really, really luffs your Mir/San? *big puppy eyes* And now, as though I couldn't get excited enough about your work...

The darkfic I've been carrying around since the end of August is still there, waiting to be tweaked. This thing has brought me to tears a few times already, but I'm determined to get it out; it would be the perfect vessel for my negative energy, if only I could figure out how to channel it properly.
Oh, awesome! I can't wait to see this :D

You is so wonderfully organized! I'm just winging it everywhere (that applies to my RL as well T_T) and am awed by your mad skillz.

[luxken27]

*twitches with anticipation* I can hardly wait... *wipes drool* It's all your fault. You got me addicted to this serial in the first place.

I can hardly wait to write it! Its really hard not to give in and do it, but I know if I just jump ahead and let it out, that I'll be forever picking at it and editing over it, instead of working out just how I'm going to get there in the first place.

That's just how I roll, LOL.

... Are ya trying to tempt me into reading this one too, LOL?

Allegiance is so worth the trouble :) Umm...and it has very short entries?

When you breathe enough life into a fic, they tend to do that *grins* But I'm really loving this story and I'm glad you've written it. Even if it's going to be short...

Well, for what it will lack in word length, I hope it will make up for in storytelling. I just don't see this becoming an epic series, though it certainly has that potential.

I'm glad you've enjoyed it so much - I'm shocked by the reaction to it, quite frankly. I had no idea it would be so well-received. I'm just trying not to let the pressure get to me, hehe.

Please say you'll be writing more Mir/San? I really, really luffs your Mir/San? *big puppy eyes*

Oh, yes, I'll be writing more Mir/San. That corner of fandom is so awesome, how could I *not* continue to contribute to it? This is like my big untapped pairing potential :)

You is so wonderfully organized! I'm just winging it everywhere (that applies to my RL as well T_T) and am awed by your mad skillz.

LOL, well, it has its downsides as well, but I need some sort of structure in order to thrive; winging it would drive me absolutely bananas.

[yumi-michiyo.livejournal.com]

I'll be forever picking at it and editing over it, instead of working out just how I'm going to get there in the first place.
LOL, okay :D That's what I do, actually. The plot bunneh hits me, I drop everything (or at least wait until the end of the day) and write about 5,000 words in one sitting. Then I put it away and come back to it periodically over the next two or three months before I deem it good enough to post.

Allegiance is so worth the trouble :) Umm...and it has very short entries?
Sounds reasonable to me *beams* When I'm done with the entire thing I'll let you know.

I'm shocked by the reaction to it, quite frankly. I had no idea it would be so well-received.
Were you expecting anything less (I mean, look at the other big serial to come out of mirsan_fics, EightFold Path)? And it would be the fact that you wrote it :D

This is like my big untapped pairing potential :)
The fanpoodle in me is overjoyed you think so :D

LOL, well, it has its downsides as well, but I need some sort of structure in order to thrive; winging it would drive me absolutely bananas.
... And on the opposite end of the scale, there sits me and my horribly cluttered life. You can't even see my desk anymore, it's covered with papers... -_-;;

[luxken27]

Were you expecting anything less

Truthfully? Yes. The way I envision the characters never seems to quite match up to how fandom sees them, so for anybody other than me to feel this is a story worth writing always gives me a little jolt.

For people to think I'm not only doing it right, but doing it well? Excuse me while I go boggle a little harder.

[psyco_chick32]

Your organizational skills blow me away.
Although I think it's about time for me to do this myself, so I can figure out where the heck I'm at with all my projects...
(LOL And see if there's anything people are waiting for more than others)

I angst for more Nihon Idol... AND CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER OF FLEETING *bouncebouncebounce*

[luxken27]

And see if there's anything people are waiting for more than others

LOL! I can't say that's what drives the order in which I work on stuff, but it is always nice to know people still care about projects you've maybe neglected more than others.

I know I'm looking forward to several things you've hinted at being in the works, myself...

I angst for more Nihon Idol...

I angst for it as well - the guilt eats away at me, every time I sit down at my writing desk.

AND CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER OF FLEETING *bouncebouncebounce*

Hehe, neither can I! Whyyyyyyyy do the brothers have to have such a snippy, antagonistic relationship?! (Because it makes them awesome, that's why. But OMG it can be so hard to capture in just that right light...)

[psyco_chick32]

Hehe, neither can I! Whyyyyyyyy do the brothers have to have such a snippy, antagonistic relationship?!

BECAUSE YOU'RE MEAN AND YOU LIKE DANGLING IT IN FRONT OF ME!!!

[pos-sess-ed.livejournal.com]

"after being abandoned by my muse for a couple of months, it has come back like gangbusters"

The floodwaters rise and the dam breaks!

I read all chapters posted of Fleeting the other day... and I am hooked. Very happy to see a new one in the works! I need to catch up on Allegiance, so it isn't like I don't have anything to do...

(I too am in awe of your organizational skillz and your ability to keep all the plates spinning!)

[luxken27]

The floodwaters rise and the dam breaks!

Which would be all well and good, if they could choose ONE project to focus on, instead of leading me towards the Big Moments in three at the same time.

*facepalm forever*

I read all chapters posted of Fleeting the other day... and I am hooked. Very happy to see a new one in the works!

Yes, I was very happy to receive your review for it ~ not even gonna lie, hearing people say they dropped everything to read it makes me pretty proud. Its not many stories that can hook you like that, and to know people find this universe as interesting as I do makes me love it all the more, in some weird way.

So - thanks!! I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it! :)

(I too am in awe of your organizational skillz and your ability to keep all the plates spinning!)

Its all about priorities, man...sometimes you have to take a look at the bigger picture and remind yourself that the end is in sight ~ and more ideas are waiting on the horizon. Given how wanky IY fandom is, you need goals (and guts) to stick around!